With a lack of operators able to urgently transport dangerous goods to remote locations, Aerocardal seized the opportunity to fill this gap in the market, CEO Ricardo Real tells Air Cargo Week.

The Chilean private jet operator received certification to transport cargo and dangerous goods in 2017, and Real says Aerocardal’s versatile fleet meant the company knew it could be an important player in the market.

He says: “Schedule carriers can transport some categories of dangerous goods on large aircraft, but timing is somewhat an issue and sometimes there are some elements that can’t be mixed with passengers.”

The main items of general cargo are spare parts for mining, forestry and fishing companies.

Real says: “A company is willing to invest more money to move a key spare part for their operation, considering the large amount of money they are losing each by the minute.”

Aerocardal had extensive experience in the jet charters, medical flights and maintenance before moving into cargo, and this new business sector has a bright future.

For cargo flights, Aerocardal has two Gulfstream G150s, one Pilatus PC-12 and three Dornier 228s.

Something that Aerocardal offers is the ability to depart in just two hours.

A customer calls up, the team analyse the conditions of the flight in 30 minutes, talk to the client and can be departing less than an hour after cargo arrives at base.

Real says: “We can deliver this service because we have full-time pilots based at our headquarters. This is a competitive advantage from normal legacy carriers that only depart two or three times a week to a certain destination. We can entirely adapt.”

Sustained growth is expected over the coming years, driven by increased trade between the hemispheres.

Real says: “This is only good news for spot players such as Aerocardal, continuing to offer the same specialised service but within a much more mature market, which will comprehend the true value of urgent cargo and dangerous goods transportation.”